HI-IHF talks fail, merger process stalled

NEW DELHI: It’s back to square one for Indian hockey as merger talks between Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), the two warring bodies claiming to be the custodian of the game, failed on Friday.

There was high hopes of some conciliation but talks were derailed after last-minute difference cropped up during a meeting in the Capital. The developments on Friday were dramatic. The meeting, which was mediated by the sports ministry, was heading in the right direction till the last minute.

In fact, the ministry had even informed the media that it was going to make an important announcement, indicating that the matter was going to the resolved. But minutes later, the representatives of the two groups came out of Shastri Bhawan and immediately began blaming each other for the failed talks.

“There were two issues — one over power sharing and the other over holding of the World Series Hockey League,” said Ashok Mathur, secretary of IHF. “One gentleman wants to remain in his position for ever. The settlement should be on equal basis.” It is believed that IHF’s Hockey League has not gone down well with HI, which is likely to float its own league in 2013.

HI’s secretary Narinder Batra said that his side almost agreed to all demands put forth by IHF. “But they came up with some fresh demands. The sports ministry and the HI tried their best for a solution. But unfortunately some people don’t want a settlement and were trying to create an unfortunate situation,” Batra said.

When asked whether IHF was to be blamed for the debacle, he said “Yes, IHF is responsible.” In a clear reference to KPS Gill, the former IHF president, he added: “It’s a big setback. People should leave their ego and come for a settlement.”

Batra said HI has no problem in inducting Gill as the life patron and RK Shetty, IHF president, as a senior vice-president or senior vice-chairman. “We are in fact planning to do it in our next executive committee meeting,” he said, adding that “It’s unfortunate that such a thing happened as we had also agreed to change the name of the body.”